Lifetime’s Aaliyah Biopic Casts Actors to Play Timbaland and Missy (Videos)

Lifetime’s on-again Aaliyah biopic with Alexandra Shipp in the title role has found actors to play producers Missy Elliott and Timbaland – the pair instrumental in Aaliyah’s early chart success.
And Black Twitter is already voicing disapproval of the casting choices.
Newcomers Chattrisse Dolabaille and Izaak Smith will play the former producing partners, but some are complaining that Dolabaille isn’t a good physical match for Missy due to the actress’s smaller frame and lighter skin, while Izaak Smith has also been criticized for not looking enough like the super producer.

As for their acting credentials, the Lifetime biopic is the first big role for both Dolabaille and Smith.
Born in Canada, Dolabaille lists herself as a singer, dancer and actress, with plenty of experience in all three fields. Prior to her casting, Chattrisse has mostly worked on stage in small Canadian productions, including a Toronto staging of “High School Musical 2.” She also worked on a dance show called “Identity” and acted alongside puppets in a play which toured elementary schools.
As for her musical background Chattrisse started early, taking singing lessons aged at six before releasing her first single “Take a Deep Breath” in 2009.